Anger has been expressed by residents over a multi-storey development because they say the buildings are towering over the town and will be an excessive burden on public facilities.

ANGER has been expressed by residents over a multi-storey development because they say the buildings are towering over the town and will be an excessive burden on public facilities.

The construction in Station Road, Hayes, is being built by Ballymore developers and will include two hotels and provide 137 units of social housing.

But some residents feel this will do nothing to regenerate the town and will cause a strain on provisions such as schools and Primary Care services.

Tiffany Ridpath, 42, of Clayton Road, Hayes, said: "It's a real eyesore and it's robbing us of our light, it wasn't beautiful before but at least we had light - now it just reminds me of an ocean liner. I don't think it's going to bring anything to Hayes, it will just be another place for youths to hang about.

"And there's enough problems with schools and doctors' surgeries as it is, I haven't been able to get an appointment for the last eight years."

Debbie Leacock, resident in the same road, said: "It's a monstrosity and it's a lot bigger than we had envisaged from the council's leaflet. It's depressing to think this is where I live and it really makes me question whether I want to stay here. It just looks like Gotham city from Batman."

Helleni Joachim, 18, resident in a nearby road and hairdresser at Nick's in Clayton Road, said: "I think it's much bigger than the original plan shows and I want to know if the infrastructure is in place to support such a development. If more people are going to be living here it will also mean more traffic and less parking."

Local councillors are fully behind the scheme, although several have shared residents' and traders' concerns about parking problems caused by builders leaving their cars in residential streets and taking up space in public car parks.

Councillor Mo Khursheed' who represents Botwell ward, said: "Some people are concerned that the development is bringing more tower block buildings to the town and it is closing in the area, but then any development will have its draw backs."

Andrew Malin, deputy director, planning and community services at the council, said: "As well as homes, there will be a hotel, retail space, café, exhibition space and swimming pool, which will benefit all residents in Hayes by providing them with new services, employment opportunities and affordable housing."

The site in Station Road. Critics are queueing up to lambast it, with complaints ranging from its appearance to its tendency to block out light.